2023 Caroline Morey Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Champs Gains Rouge

Caroline Morey’s reds are always a bit of a treat, but her premiers crus take things to another level. Champs Gains is a site better known for Chardonnay, yet in the right hands its Pinot delivers wines of striking definition and finesse. Caroline’s 2023 shows exactly that – a poised, energetic red that balances the ripeness of the season with the freshness and transparency that the vintage is already being praised for.

The fruit here comes from well-sited vines with plenty of sun but also the altitude to preserve brightness. Caroline treats it with a light hand – gentle extraction, restrained oak – which lets the vineyard character speak clearly. The result is a wine that sits at that sweet spot between structure and lift, with a fine-boned profile that promises graceful ageing.

As with all of Caroline’s wines, volumes are minute, and these reds in particular vanish fast. It’s one of those bottles you don’t see often but remember long after it’s gone.